About Dr. O’Malley

I have a diverse background in science and education, including degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science Teaching, and a PhD in Geology. I live with my scientist husband and two young children, a daughter and son.

My dissertation research focused on the preserved biomarkers in Mississippian crinoids, first noticed decades ago but never studied. Two peer-reviewed publications from my dissertation have been published in the journal Geology. The conclusions of my work are that not only are there a taxon-specific organic molecules preserved in these fossils, their similarities reflect the currently accepted phylogenetic relationships between groups of crinoids in most cases.

After completing my PhD, I returned to school to earn a teaching credential, in High School Integrated Science. I also taught in the education department of a local science museum for 3 years, and spent a year working with 4th and 5th graders in an inner-city elementary school as part of the NSF’s GK-12 program.

I currently teach AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Physics. I also mentor students in independent research projects, and coach Science Olympiad and FIRST Lego League teams, and am a mentor for an iGEM team.

2004–2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio: served as Head TA for Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Oceanography, and History of Life on Earth

2005–2006 NSF GK-12 Fellow, Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio: developed inquiry-based science activities to complement Columbus Public School Curriculum Guide for two classrooms of 4th and 5th grade students

2003–2004 Teaching Assistant, Department of Geological Sciences, Wright State University: served as TA for geology labs and SM 445/446 Projects in Science, which taught pre-service teachers how to facilitate science fair projects

Dayton Public Schools Science and Technology Fair Core Committee Member

COSI (Columbus Center for Science and Industry): workshop volunteer, writer, and presenter including “Chemistry in the Kitchen” (teaching physical science for middle school teachers)

Montgomery County ESC: workshop presenter of “Physical Science and Meteorology” (using meteorology to teach physical properties of air, gases, and heat for middle and high school teachers)

Montgomery County Science Day Committee (member at large), Intel International Science Fair Committee (MCSD), MCSD Scientific Review Committee Chairperson, former West District Science Day administrative assistant, mentor, special awards judge, and judge for school, county, district and state fairs. (18 years of activity)

SELECTED AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS

2015 Innovative Teaching Grant, Archdiocese of Cincinnati

2011 American Chemical Society-Hachs Second Career Chemistry Teacher Scholarship

Hi Dr. O’Malley, I am looking for quality materials to better teach high school Biology. I love the ecology section of your science notebook. Would you share resources for other topics in Biology? Thank you!

I currently use a lot of material from the American modeling Teachers Association, which I do not have permission to distribute. However, if you join the AMTA you can get full access immediately, or get it for free if you take a workshop (I’ve done two AMTA workshops).

Hi Dr. O’Malley, very helpful site! It might be even more helpful if you could introduce similar sites like yours, maybe on sidebar or somewhere. Sometimes teachers might not find the information they want here, but other sites like biologydictionary.net would be great alternatives.